The EPA has reviewed the sample results for the contents of 80 out of about 240 drums of soil and rock material from the Lehigh Valley Railroad Derailment Superfund site.

The December 1970 derailment resulted in the release of liquid trichloroethene (TCE) and cyanide crystals. The material in the 80 drums was tested for these and other contaminants. This information is being used to determine whether the material is hazardous and what type of permitted facility the drums can be taken to for disposal.

In all cases, the results indicate that the materials in the drums are non-hazardous. TCE was detected in one drum, at a concentration of 0.2 parts per million (ppm), which is below health-based levels. There were no detectable levels of cyanide in any of the drums.

Analyses of the contents from the rest of the drums is ongoing and we will make results available. The drums will be taken to a permitted facility.